One if the classics of aviation, the Ford Tri-Motor (also known as the "Tin Goose") first flew in the form of the 4-AT-A in 1926, although the design had similarities to the single-engined 2-AT Pullman of early 1925. Somewhat more than 200 4-AT and 5-AT planes were built until 1933.The Ford Tri-Motor made the most of the reputation of the existing Ford and it's own reputation for reliability. However, by the early/mid-1930's more modern designs such as the DC-2 and DC-3 had overtaken the Ford Tri-Motor. Ford left the airplane industry not long after production of the Tri-Motor ended (only to return to it during WWII to build B-24 Liberators). However, even as major airlines began replacing the Tri-Motor with newer planes, the used Fords were sold off to smaller airlines -- in all, some 100 airlines have opperated the Ford TriMotor around the world.
The 5-AT-D was generally similar to the 5-AT-A, but with the wing slightly raised to provide better cabin headroom. Some 20 were built.
The 5-AT-D burns 42.3 gallons of fuel per hour at routine usage.
Subassemblies: Heavy Fighter-Bomber chassis with poor streamlining
+3, Light Bomber Wings +3, 2xLarge Weapon engine pods, three fixed wheels
+0.
P&P: 3x313-kW aerial gasoline engine with 3x313-kW old prop
[Body:F and Pods 1-2] and 355-gallon standard fuel tank [Wings].
Occ: 3 CS, 14 PS Cargo: 8 Body
| Armor | F | R/L | B | T | U |
| All | 2/3 | 2/3 | 2/3 | 2/3 | 2/3 |
Equipment
Body: Medium radio receiver and transmitter, navigation instruments,
autopilot.
Statistics
| Size: 50'x78'x13' | Payload: 3.35 tons | Lwt: 7 tons |
| Volume: 704 | Maint.: 33 hours | Price: $37,700 |
HT: 9
HP: 263 [body], 60 [each engine pod], 300 [each wing], 26 [each
wheel]
| aSpeed: 150 | aAccel: 3 | aDecel: 30 | aMR: 7.5 | aSR: 2 | |
| Stall: 56 mph |
Design Notes
Design aSpeed is 162 mph; the historical speed, as well as actual wing
area (835 sf), has been used. Wing, body amd pod cost, weight and
HPs were divided by two to lower overall weight. Design weight was reduced
by another 3%.
Historical glide rate was 6.7:1.
Thirteen of the passenger seats coule be removed for a cargo role.
Variants
The 4-AT-A (1926) was the original production version, with 34 built.
It had 149-kW engines and carried eight passengers.
The 4-AT-B (1927) upgraded to 177-kW engines and space for 12 passengers. Thirty-nine were built.
The two dozen 4-AT-E's was similar to the 4-AT-B, but with 224-kW engines.
In 1928, the larger 5-AT-A was introduced, with an extra passenger seat and 313-kW engines. Only three were built, but if formed the basis of the -B (15 passengers, 41 built), -C (17 passengers, 51 built) and -D models.
Various "one-offs" included floatplanes, cargo conversions and one fitted with diesel engines.
A total of 22 aircraft were operated by the Army and Navy under 15 different designations.